Capturing Callie by Avery Gale Read Free Book Online Page A

that,” was the big man’s only reply, and she heard his rapidly fading footsteps as he made his way down the hall in the opposite direction.
     
    * * * *
     
    Ian didn’t have any idea what had happened to Callie, but it had to have been extremely traumatic to have caused what could only be termed a post-traumatic stress disorder episode. Ian had seen similar things happen to subs before, but usually there had been some kind of physical trigger. He’d never seen someone who appeared to be processing a request zone out so completely that they didn’t respond to any verbal commands. He’d seen her gripping the glass with such strength he’d started shouting at her to release it before it shattered, but he hadn’t been able to reach through whatever memory she’d been lost in. She hadn’t opened her hand until the shards of glass had cut gashes into her delicate skin.
    When Jace entered the bathroom with his med-kit, they set about removing each sliver of glass and washed the wounds thoroughly. Ian knew it had to have hurt, but Callie sat completely stock-still, never reacting to the pain in any way. Ian was starting to worry that they would have to call in professional help to get her to reengage when Jace spoke to him quietly. “I’ve got her. Why don’t you go call Mitch Grayson? His gifts and experience with PTSD might provide some insight. Also, the man has access to information that God himself doesn’t have the security clearance for—ask for his help.”
    Ian was reluctant to leave her, but knew they needed some outside help, and they damned well needed the name of whoever hurt her. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips over her forehead and whispered, “I’ll be right back, pet. Let Master Jace take care of you. Be a good girl, now.”
    She seemed to have heard him and met his gaze. Her eyes filled with unshed tears and she whispered, “I’m sorry.” His heart nearly melted, and suddenly he wondered if he hadn’t been wrong all these years. Maybe—just maybe he was capable of loving someone.
     
    * * * *
     
    Mitch Grayson had been a huge help and had promised to start looking into Callie’s background immediately. Mitch had given him a brief rundown of possible triggers and explained how the men at ShadowDance had handled similar situations with their women. Ian had been grateful when Mitch let him speak with his wife, Rissa, because she had experienced enough trauma of her own to be a great source of information.
    Before they’d ended their call, Mitch had promised to get back to Ian by tomorrow with the information and also suggested Ian make sure Callie was available so he could talk with her via video-cam. Ian remembered that Mitch’s gifts as an empath were greatly enhanced if he could actually see and talk with the person he was reading. Mitch’s ability to “hear” and often feel the emotions and thoughts of other people gave him unique opportunities to help people who had experiences they needed help resolving. It had also been an enormous asset to his SEAL team when they’d interviewed prisoners and victims alike.
    They set up the call for 5:00 p.m. the next afternoon to ensure Mitch had plenty of time to gather information. Just before they signed off, Rissa asked to have the phone back, and Mitch had reluctantly agreed, and Ian had suppressed his laughter when he’d heard the very pregnant woman explain that talking on the phone was not a “taxing” physical activity.
    “Ian, I just want to know if you are really interested in this woman? Because if you aren’t, let someone else help her. It sounds like she has already had her trust violated in a big way, and well…adding a broken heart to her problems…that would just be mean…um, Sir.” Ian laughed out loud at her words. It was easy to see why Mitch and Bryant had fallen in love with her. He thanked her for her words of wisdom and for looking out for Callie despite the fact they’d never met. It had been humbling when